Romans 15 Bible study guide: Making Room for One Another

Open with

Who is someone who has made room for you when you felt like an outsider?

Read together

Romans 15:1-13, then Romans 15:14-33. If you are leading, read the plain-words note on Romans 15 first (linked below).

Discussion questions

1. Verse 1 says "we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak." What does it look like to carry someone else instead of looking down on them?

2. Verse 7: "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you." How did Christ accept you, and what does that mean for how you accept others?

3. Paul says the Scriptures were written to give us "hope" (v. 4). How has the Bible given you hope this year?

4. Verse 13 prays that you may "overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." What would overflowing hope look like in your life?

5. Paul had big plans to go to Spain (v. 24). As far as we know, he never got there. How do you handle it when your plans for serving God don't work out?

6. Paul asks the Romans to "join me in my struggle by praying to God for me" (v. 30). Who could you ask to pray for you, and who could you pray for?

For our lives this week

Reach out to someone on the edge of your group, church, work or class this week, and make room for them.

Close in prayer

Pray verse 13 over each other by name: that God would fill you with joy and peace and make you overflow with hope.

Leader tip

End with time to pray for each other in pairs, since Paul asks for prayer in verse 30. Keep it short and simple so no one feels put on the spot.